Campaign to help bullied Keaton Jones suspended after his mom is accused of racism

Just when we thought this story would have a happy ending...

The mother of Keaton Jones – a teen whose emotional outpouring went viral – has come under serious fire today, after some of her personal beliefs were exposed online.

Kimberley Jones has been accused of trying to profit from her son’s misfortune. Others are saying he was coaxed into the video. In the clip, he explains that he is being targeted just because he looks different.

What did Kimberley Jones, Keaton’s mom, say?

It all came to a head on Monday night. The video was posted last week, but young Keaton had enjoyed a hugely positive response to his situation. Amongst his celebrity backers were Snoop Dogg and Captain America himself, Chris Evans. In fact, Evans had even invited the teen to the premier of the new Avengers film.

However, riding the crest of the wave was Keaton’s mother, Kimberley Jones. It was when she reached out to MMA fighter Joe Schilling that things got ugly. Her personal views have somewhat shocked the public following Keaton’s story:

A private chat between Schilling and Jones revealed an ulterior motive, and some disgusting language.

That viral video of #KeatonJones talking about being bullied is heartbreaking, and I feel sympathetic towards that child.
But his mom, Kimberly on the other hand, is a suspected racist who makes very problematic posts bullying Black protesters #TheIronypic.twitter.com/NUhidunP8z

Who is Keaton Jones?

Many people have been left conflicted by the ramifications of Kimberley’s actions. If Keaton was indeed bullied – which, in fairness, seems quite genuine – then his life has only been made worse by how his mother conducted herself.

This story has gone from a positive and uplifting one, to one that is now shrouded in layers of morality and outrage. Keaton should not himself be judged on what his mom said. Yet it remains difficult to feel the same way about the story knowing what we know now.

Many fear that Keaton’s chances of living a hassle-free childhood are in tatters. Whether that happened during the Schilling fiasco, or when Kimberley decided to point a camera in her son’s face, remains up for debate.